Smoltz Wants to start game 1 of the WBC (http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/1105/11gmmeetings.html)

I'm glad Smoltz is willing to do this. I wish more players were willing to play on this team and in this competition. I know many members expressed their disinterest in this competition, but I am really looking forward to it. We can all admit Smoltz is a great human being as shown by his Roberto Clemente Award.

antitwins13

11-11-2005, 12:32 AM

that's awesome. I think Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Paul Konerko, and Bobby Jenks would be good additions to the WBC too.

TheOldRoman

11-11-2005, 12:50 AM

that's awesome. I think Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Paul Konerko, and Bobby Jenks would be good additions to the WBC too.
As much as I want the US to win, I would prefer those guys sit at home and rest during the offseason instead of starting "spring training" in January just to be warmed up and in midseason form come the end of March.

antitwins13

11-11-2005, 01:00 AM

As much as I want the US to win, I would prefer those guys sit at home and rest during the offseason instead of starting "spring training" in January just to be warmed up and in midseason form come the end of March.

Let the minor leaguers have their day in the WBC representing the USA.

VivaOzzie

11-11-2005, 09:29 AM

Let the minor leaguers have their day in the WBC representing the USA.

Let BMac showcase his skills! I'm sure he'd be down for it, and he's probably better than some vets that could be on the team...

SOXintheBURGH

11-11-2005, 11:00 AM

Let the minor leaguers have their day in the WBC representing the USA.

:LTP

"My prediction?? Pain."

peeonwrigley

11-11-2005, 11:31 AM

Are Contreras and El Duque pitching for their native country?

Optipessimism

11-11-2005, 02:48 PM

Wow, another US-dominated sport dominates the rest of the world. So exciting. So patriotic. Why not put AAA/AFL players in? Why not make the thing interesting and draw more interest from other countries who wouldn't normally be able to compete?

BNLSox

11-11-2005, 03:01 PM

Wow, another US-dominated sport dominates the rest of the world. So exciting. So patriotic. Why not put AAA/AFL players in? Why not make the thing interesting and draw more interest from other countries who wouldn't normally be able to compete?

You don't think Venezuela and Japan have legitimate shots? I guarantee that their players will take representing their country more seriously than the US squad. I think this will be a great and tightly contested event.

Unregistered

11-11-2005, 03:02 PM

My country comes 1st. My city comes 2nd. http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:vPsQLz9W3csJ:www.jhudsonphoto.com/images/WTC%2520-%2520USA%2520FLAG%2520-%2520AMERICA_BE_PROUD%2520(1).jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jhudsonphoto.com/images/WTC%2520-%2520USA%2520FLAG%2520-%2520AMERICA_BE_PROUD%2520(1).jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jhudsonphoto.com/&h=603&w=802&sz=76&tbnid=vPsQLz9W3csJ:&tbnh=106&tbnw=142&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3DUSA%2Bflag%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26l r%3D)
Heh. This isn't going off to fight a war. It's just Bud Selig's new little money making venture. I don't think anyone is going to care who "won the Inaugural World Baseball Championship Cup" in 2005. They will care who won the World Series in 2006, though.

Optipessimism

11-11-2005, 03:35 PM

You don't think Venezuela and Japan have legitimate shots? I guarantee that their players will take representing their country more seriously than the US squad. I think this will be a great and tightly contested event.

I don't think Japan or most other teams have a chance against the US All Stars. Venezuela could possibly have Freddy pitching, and the DR could have Pedro, so maybe they have a chance to win a game. But the rest is not even close. Besides, I think it would be better for baseball across the world for other countries to beat the US or else lose in close games like 3-2 or 4-3. I'm just worried about the US beating the puss out of other countries to the tune of 16-3, 10-2, 8-0, etc. because I think that could be seriously discouraging if it happened regularly.

A couple of other reasons why I don't like this:

I think top AAA players would actually benefit from a WBC by learning how to make quick adjustments (especially at the plate) against unknown competition and this would help them tremendously once they make it to the majors. Established US veterans won't learn anywhere near as much from the experience.

I think that it becomes harder to scout prospective MLB players from other countries (which IMO is the ultimate goal of the WBC in creating an even more competitive MLB Product) if those players are constantly facing the best possible competition.

StockdaleForVeep

11-11-2005, 04:55 PM

Let the minor leaguers have their day in the WBC representing the USA.

To someone before, i dont want our starters anywhere near a baseball field during off season, hell i have enough troubles thinkin of players in winter ball(or treadmills if yer alou)

But i dislike the whole "Oh professional athletes shouldnt go, send our youngins"

Now this has been a debate since college football and golf all the way back in theyre conceptions, the idea of amateur vs professional. Now our MLB players are without doubt the best in the country, if not, theyd still be in minors. They should be the ones representing this nation in the sport chosen. You look at other countries, some dont have minor league systems and what they have is what they have.

Hey antitwins13, Cross Into The Blue (http://www.airforce.com/), they've been waiting for you. :wink:

Railsplitter

11-12-2005, 11:35 AM

Let the minor leaguers have their day in the WBC representing the USA.

The USA should be represented by it's best players at the WBC. Do you honestly believe any other country will leave it's best teams behind? Also, the little soccer tournament in Germany next summer will see 32 countries sending thier best players.

soxfanatlanta

11-12-2005, 02:47 PM

The USA should be represented by it's best players at the WBC. Do you honestly believe any other country will leave it's best teams behind? Also, the little soccer tournament in Germany next summer will see 32 countries sending thier best players.

+1

Look at all the foreign NBA players who are thrilled to wear their country's jerseys. Do you want to see the U.S. WBC team lose to Venezuala, Japan, or The Dominican Republic with minor AAA players?

Let the best talented players from all over settle it on the field, I don't want the sour grapes thread stating that "If we sent our best we'd win" baloney. I don't have the stomach for it.

Hey antitwins13, Cross Into The Blue (http://www.airforce.com/), they've been waiting for you. :wink:When you tell someone to join the Chair Force you are dissing him. If you tell him to be a marine so he can say "My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment" you insult him.

The best service is the NAVY!!!!

GO NAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ilsox7

11-12-2005, 04:02 PM

+1

Look at all the foreign NBA players who are thrilled to wear their country's jerseys. Do you want to see the U.S. WBC team lose to Venezuala, Japan, or The Dominican Republic with minor AAA players?

Let the best talented players from all over settle it on the field, I don't want the sour grapes thread stating that "If we sent our best we'd win" baloney. I don't have the stomach for it.

There wouldn't be a sour grapes thread b/c no one really cares about this little tournament.

The Racehorse

11-12-2005, 09:05 PM

When you tell someone to join the Chair Force you are dissing him. If you tell him to be a marine so he can say "My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment" you insult him.

The best service is the NAVY!!!!

GO NAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chair Force? LOL, you have allot of spirit because that line is as old as the hills. :smile:

You just do this... when your some officer sailing the seven seas, tell your Annapolis brethren to tell those football players to show up against the Irish... and if the football players have a problem with that, tell your friend to tell the players that The Racehorse said so. :cool:

:)

Oh yeah... just so no one puts up a 'high-jack thread sign', I think Smoltz also has allot of spirit, but he should stick to golf in the off season.

soxfanatlanta

11-12-2005, 09:47 PM

There wouldn't be a sour grapes thread b/c no one really cares about this little tournament.